The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, ”I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 (ESV)
Dear Lord Jesus, you’ve given us so many reasons to be a people of joy—even in the midst of a “wad” of brokenness. You’ve created a world for us to enjoy, and though it’s lost the perfections of Eden, creation still loudly proclaims your majesty and reveals your beauty. And you’ve blessed us with many creature comforts—things we either take for granted, or assume we have them because we deserve them or earned them. Things like our jobs and homes, clothing and food. Thank you for your persistent and pervasive generosity.
And like your first disciples, you give us the joy of being used in your service—no small thing, indeed. Thank you for the privilege of sharing the gospel, serving in your church, laboring in your kingdom. Thank you for the honor of loving our neighbors, working for justice in the face of systemic evil, caring for the poor and other marginalized people in our culture—like orphans, widows and the elderly.
But as you command a particular focus to our rejoicing, so we gladly obey today. Lord Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you for writing our names in heaven—for securing our place in your heart and eternity. They are written there with the indelible ink of God’s grace, and there is no eraser that can remove our name from the only book, roll, or record that really matters. Hallelujah, many times over!
May the joy of our irrevocable, free, and über-glorious salvation shut down our whine-fest and pity-parties, and our lust for something more or someone other. So very Amen we pray, in your generous and grace-full name.
